HBO Picks Up Rights to Barack Obama Documentary

HBO has acquired the rights–paying in the low seven figures–to an untitled Barack Obama documentary from producer Edward Norton. According to THR, Norton’s Class 5 Films approached the Obama campaign in early 2006 about a documentary chronicling the President-elect’s history in politics. Directors Amy Rice and Alicia Sams were granted extensive access to film Obama before he launched his run in 2007 and will continue through inauguration on January 20, 2009.

The documentary, which includes interviews with Obama, his senior campaign staff, family, friends and volunteers, willl air sometime next year.

“Senator Obama’s history-making race for the White House has given our film a perfect framework to explore the pulse of the country at this vital moment in our history,” said Norton, who produced the project with Stuart Blumberg and Bill Migliore. “We believe this film will capture a tipping point in American history when a new generation of leadership emerged and old prejudices were finally vaulted over.”